Tuileries

Believe it or not, some of the best things in Paris do come free, and Le Jardin des Tuileries is one of them. Found right next to the Louvre, this beautiful spot of nature in central Paris has been one of my favorite hangouts since I arrived nearly 5 (5!!) months ago. So, when the sun finally came out to play after a two week hiatus this past Saturday, there was no other place I wanted to be to enjoy it. My recommendation for your future visit is grab a picnic (can always recommend the standard baguette and a sweet treat from the nearby Laduree, but my food of choice this past weekend was Dutch junk food from superstore HEMA), take a seat by one of the many little ponds, and watch the children play with their little boats on the water. Soak up the atmosphere of the place; couples are enjoying lying together in the chairs, friends laughing and catching up, and the huge ferris wheel at Place de la Concorde spinning lazily in the distance. Don’t let the warm rays of sunshine in the photos fool you though! At this time of year it’s absolutely freezing, so bring a warm coat. But this garden is definitely a place to be when there are no leaves on the trees. You are guaranteed a seat to watch the people go by, and can glimpse the hidden Merry-Go-Rounds through the naked trees. C’est parfait! Click through for more photos.